MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Senator(s) Little, Burton, Robertson, Jackson, Minor, Stogner, Smith, Carmichael, Chaney, Dearing, Dickerson, Gordon, Hewes, Johnson (19th), King, Kirby, Moffatt, Posey, Ross, Thames, White (29th), Hyde-Smith
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-5 AND 37-13-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE UNITED STATES FLAG SHALL BE DISPLAYED IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM AT ALL TIMES WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, AND TO REQUIRE THE DAILY RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST HOUR OF CLASS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-13-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-5. The flag of the State of Mississippi and the flag of the United States shall be displayed in close proximity to the school building, on a proper staff, at all times during the hours of daylight when the school is in session when the weather will permit without damage to the flag. In addition, the flag of the United States shall be displayed in each classroom and in each principal room of the school building at all times while school is in session. It shall be the duty of the school boards * * * of each school district to provide for the flags, proper flag staffs and their proper display.
In all public schools there shall be given a course of study concerning the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Mississippi and said course of study shall include the history of each flag and what they represent and the proper respect therefor. Each school district shall provide student instruction in the proper etiquette toward, correct display of, and respect for the flag, and in patriotic exercises. The instruction shall be a part of the district's fifth grade social studies curriculum or history curriculum, with the assistance of the State Department of Education. There shall also be taught in the public schools the duties and obligations of citizenship, patriotism, Americanism and respect for and obedience to law.
SECTION 2. Section 37-13-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-7. (1) The school boards * * * of all public schools of this state shall require the teachers under their control to have all pupils repeat the oath of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America at the beginning of the first hour of class each day school is in session, such oath of allegiance being as follows:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Any student or teacher who objects to reciting the oath of allegiance shall be excused from participating without penalty.
(2) The official pledge of the State of Mississippi shall read as follows:
"I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God."
The pledge of allegiance to the Mississippi flag shall be taught in the public schools of this state, along with the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.